Claxton-Hepburn Auxiliary raised more than $120,000 in 2012

OGDENSBURG  The north country economy may still be limping, but the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Auxiliary is still collecting substantial donations to support Ogdensburgs hospital.

Through hard work and dedication, auxiliary members managed to raise $124,000 in 2012.

We expected there to be a little less because of the economy, but that just didnt happen, Auxiliary President Mary E. LaCombe said, noting that the 2012 total was slightly higher than what the auxiliary raised in 2011.

At its recent spring dinner, the auxiliary handed out five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors entering the medical field, $7,000 to the Richard E. Winter Cancer Treatment Center and the Agarwal Renewal Center for a new paging system, $1,800 for a new chemotherapy chair at the cancer center, $10,000 for new equipment at Lifeline Systems and $100,000 for the medical centers Capital Campaign.

Mrs. LaCombe said the funding is directed to departments in need identified by the auxiliary and is collected thanks to the creativity of the membership.

Were not stuck in a rut; were always willing to try new ideas, Mrs. LaCombe said.

Its clearly paying off.

Ramona Kennedy, auxiliary liaison, said the 165-member organization hosts one or two fundraisers every month, operates a successful gift shop within the hospital and manages the ever-growing Festival of Trees Christmas tree auction in December.

Theyre just very busy ladies, Mrs. Kennedy said.

As testament to their industrious nature, Mrs. Kennedy pointed out that the auxiliary is planning a Silpada jewelry sale Friday in Conference Room A and B, a uniform sale on June 26 in the medical center auditorium, and a craft sale June 27 in the lobby.

June is a busy month, Mrs. Kennedy said.

Mrs. LaCombe said she expects the level of funding the auxiliary has seen over the last several years will continue.

This seems to be what our norm will be going forward, she said. We enjoy what we do; we have fun.

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